PHILADELPHIA -- The Flyers and Rangers meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Flyers haven't won since 2011.

Nevertheless, the Flyers have plenty of confidence heading into the payoffs, even if it means beginning the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup on the most hostile of enemy ice.

"I don't know what's so tough about playing (at Madison Square Garden)," Sean Couturier said following Sunday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. "We just have to come back to playing simple, getting some dirty goals, and maybe we're due to get a win over there. It will be an exciting playoffs and hopefully we can go get at least a couple wins there."

Flyers rookie head coach Craig Berube understands the task at hand: slowing down the Rangers' attack.

"They've got a lot of speed," Berube said. "They play a fast game. They're an attack team now. They have three-or-four balanced lines that can score and they play a fast game with an aggressive defense. It's always a quick game out there with them."

Steve Mason missed Sunday's game with an upper body injury, Berube said afterwards that he expects the goaltender to be back in action Thursday night when the series opens. Mason is 2-1 with a 2.01 goals against average in three games against the Rangers this season.

Flyers vs. Rangers Series Schedule:

Game 1: Thursday, at Rangers, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Sunday, at Rangers, 12 p.m.
Game 3: April 22, at Flyers, 8 p.m.
Game 4: April 25, at Flyers, 7 p.m.
Game 5: April 27, at Rangers, 12 p.m.*
Game 6: April 29, at Flyers, TBD*
Game 7: April 20, at Rangers, TBD*